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Nyquist draws No. 13 post

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Doug O’Neill was all smiles after early 3-1 favourite Nyquist drew the No. 13 post for the 142nd Kentucky Derby tomorrow.

The number with an unlucky reputation didn’t faze the trainer.

In fact, it brought back good memories.

Canadian-owned Nyquist left from the same spot when he won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last year at Keeneland—part of his 7-0 career record.

“No matter if we drew the one or the 20, the thought is we were going to leave there with the intent of being forwardly placed and just play it by ear,” O’Neill said Wednesday after the post-position draw.

“More than anything, I’m so happy with the way he’s training, the way he’s acting,” he added.

“He’s thriving on all the positive attention.”

Four horses have won from the No. 13 spot since 1900, most recently Smarty Jones in 2004.

O’Neill, owner Paul Reddam of Windsor, Ont., and jockey Mario Gutierrez, who rose to fame at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver, teamed to win the race in 2012 with I’ll Have Another.

“The whole team is pumped up,” O’Neill enthused.

“We’re just very optimistic for a big day.”

Exaggerator drew the No. 11 post and is the 8-1 second choice in the full field of 20 horses for the 1 1/4-mile race at Churchill Downs.